DG: 4765825

Torroba: Luisa Fernanda

THE STORY: Set in Madrid (Acts 1 & 2) and Extremedura (Act 3) in 1868-69, during a time of unrest in Spain known as the “Revolución Gloriosa”, the plot of this zarzuela is one of love and politics: two men on opposite sides of the political divide (monarchist and liberal – see cover) are enemies in the Revolution and rivals for the hand of the seamstress Luisa Fernanda. THE MUSIC: Wonderfully evocative of Spain, with its characteristic rhythms, melodies and instrumental colours. Moreno Torroba’s melodic gifts are especially striking. There are also reminiscences of Massenet and Gounod, not to mention Puccini’s Tosca! Best known is the Harvesters’ Chorus from Act 3.